Bears are Central to NWA

Making Connections

Northwest Arkansas is among the nation’s fastest-growing areas for many reasons, and the University of Central Arkansas is one of them. As a long-standing pipeline of professional talent for Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville and Rogers, UCA is uniquely positioned to shape business, communities and culture in NWA. We serve as the anchor institution for every corner of the state — all within easy reach of the one driving so much progress.

The Importance of UCA to the NWA Region

The University of Central Arkansas took Bear Country to Washington and Benton counties in northwest Arkansas from April 21 to 24 for UCA’s Northwest Arkansas Blitz.

With more than 4,000 alumni in the two-county area, UCA President Houston Davis, along with representatives from Academic Affairs including deans from all seven academic colleges, advancement, admissions, athletics, student affairs, outreach and more connected with local leaders, alumni and future students to celebrate UCA’s growing impact on the region through a variety of events and activities.

UCA’s Office of Admissions hosted senior socials for admitted high school students and their families from each of the two counties. During each social, the UCA Foundation awarded a $1,000 book scholarship to a randomly selected attendee.
On April 22, President Davis presented “UCA is Central to NWA” to the Rogers Noon Rotary Club. Last summer, UCA hired Paul Gatling to serve as the senior director of northwest Arkansas engagement and began planning the Blitz as a way to “reinforce ties to the area, opening doors for more meaningful partnerships and ensuring that UCA graduates are part of the next chapter of northwest Arkansas’ success,” Davis said.

The following day, more than 400 business leaders from across the state attended the Arkansas Higher Education Roundtable luncheon in Fayetteville organized by the Northwest Arkansas Council and hosted by UCA. President Davis was joined by University of Arkansas Chancellor Charles Robinson and Northwest Arkansas Community College President Dennis Rittle for a panel discussion moderated by News Media Executive Roby Brock. The three higher education leaders spoke on topics ranging from affordability and collaboration to workforce initiatives and how higher education is strengthening Arkansas’ economy and driving regional growth.

In discussing how higher education can address workforce needs, President Davis noted the university’s academic advisory councils, which are made up of industry experts who provide guidance on what employers are looking for in college graduates. Davis also said meeting employers where they are is important. “We need to make certain that we are not just having conversations in one nook of the state,” he explained. “We need to make certain that we are coming here, and that is a big part of what we are doing this week, is having direct conversations so that we can be responsive and document that we are heading in the right direction.”

Later that evening, UCA representatives hosted an Off the Clock networking event at Thaden Field in Bentonville for area alumni and friends who wanted to learn more about the new UCA Aviation Academy. Program Director Brad Teague flew in for the day to present to the Bentonville Rotary Club about the Academy and showcased hangar plans for the Aviation Academy during the Off the Clock event.